2UE GM, Ian Sheppard quits

Ian Sheppard, who only last week presided over the sacking of at least nine 2UE staff, some of them having worked at the station for more than 12 years, today fell on his own sword.

The announcement was made at a staff meeting at around 12:30pm .

According to Southern Cross Group GM, Graham Mott, who will take over management of the station in the short term, Sheppard was offered a job at Channel Nine. He told radioinfo, “Ian Sheppard has done a wonderful job here at 2UE in all his years as both Sales Manager and more recently General Manager. We’re very sorry to see him go, but it’s a great opportunity for him at the Nine Network and we wish him all the best.”

His resignation has come at the end of a tough week for Sheppard. Having had to sack a slew of staff on Friday, on Monday, he had to endure a very public taunt from Ray Hadley, on rival station, 2GB. In a spray that also targeted Bill Caralis and John Laws Hadley described Ian Sheppard as being, “So lightweight he keeps his office windows shut in case he gets blown away”.

Graham Mott will once again commute from Melbourne until a suitable replacement is found.